The First Presbyterian Church

Delhi, New York

August 30, 2020 9:30 a.m.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

This service will be recorded. All chat messages will be displayed in the recording. By staying in this meeting you consent to be recorded.

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” - Psalm 105:1

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Notes

Introit “Take My Life” by Scott Underwood

Holiness, holiness is what I long for. Holiness is what I need. Holiness, holiness is what You want from me.

(Refrain) So take my heart and form it; take my mind transform it.

Take my will conform it to Yours, to Yours, oh Lord.

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for. Faithfulness is what I need. Faithfulness, faithfulness is what You want from me. (Repeat Refrain)

Call to Worship (from Psalm 105)

One: Let us give praise to God for all he has done!

All: Praise the Lord our God who speaks words of good to our hearts and souls.

One: Rejoice and give glory to his holy name!

All: Let us look to the Lord for his strength and blessings.

Hymn “Let All Things Now Living” #37

Let all things now living, a song of thanksgiving

to God our Creator triumphantly raise; who fashioned and made us,

protected and stayed us, by guiding us on to the end of our days.

God's banners are o'er us; pure light goes before us,

a pillar of fire shining forth in the night: till shadows have vanished,

all fearfulness banished, as forward we travel from light into light.

By law God enforces, the stars in their courses,

the sun in its orbit obediently shine; the hills and the mountains,

the rivers and fountains, the depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;

with glad adoration, a song let us raise, till all things now living

unite in thanksgiving: to God in the highest, hosanna and praise!

Call to Confession God promises always to love and forgive us – even when we don’t follow God’s way or when we do things that hurt others. Everyone makes mistakes; that is why we confess our sins together when we confess our sins. We say that we are sorry for these things and we ask God to forgive us and help us live new lives. Please join me in our Prayer of Confession.

Prayer of Confession

All: God, we pray for the courage to overcome our downfalls; we ask for your gracious love to help us through difficult times. Our world is in turmoil and strife. Help us to be strong and to spread the goodness of our love in our everyday deeds. Help us to remember all of the wonders of your miracles. We ask for your forgiveness when we do evil instead of good, when we do what we want instead of doing what needs to be done. Forgive our many transgressions today and every day. We ask and pray for these things in your son’s holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

Assurance of Pardon

One: You sent your only son to be crucified for the forgiveness of all our sins; we will praise his name always!

All: Praise be to God! Hallelujah!

Choral Response “Gloria Patri” #581

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be; world without end! Amen. Amen.

Sharing the Peace One: The love and peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Interlude Lisa Ruth Mays

Prayer for Illumination Dear Lord, give us hearts that hunger for your word, ears that are quick to hear, and hearts

of understanding so that we may grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Help to lead our minds with all that you would have us learn, and guide us into all truth

through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.

Exodus 3:1-15 One day as Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, out at the edge of the desert near Horeb, the mountain of God; suddenly the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him as a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw that the bush was on fire and that it didn’t burn up, he went over to investigate. Then God called out to him, “Moses! Moses!” “Who is it?” Moses asked. “Don’t come any closer,” God told him. “Take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Moses covered his face with his hands, for he was afraid to look at God). Then the Lord told him, “I have seen the deep sorrows of my people in Egypt, and have heard their pleas for freedom from their harsh taskmasters. I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians and to take them out of Egypt into a good land, a large land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the land where the Canannites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusits live. Yes, the wail of the people of Israel has risen to me in heaven and I have seen the

heavy tasks the Egyptians have oppressed them with. Now I am going to send you to Pharaoh, to demand that he let you lead my people out of Egypt.” “But I’m not the person for a job like that!” Moses exclaimed. Then God told him, “I will certainly be with you, and this is the proof that I am the one who is sending you. When you have led the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God here upon this mountain!” But Moses asked, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them that their fathers’ God has sent me, they will ask, ‘Which God are you talking about?’ What shall I tell them?” “‘The Sovereign God’ was the reply. “Just say ‘I Am has sent me!’ Yes, tell them, ‘Jehovah, the God of your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you.’ (This is my eternal name, to be used throughout all generations).”

Romans 12: 9-21 Don’t just pretend that you love one another: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good, Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging for the night. If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian, don’t curse him; pray that God will bless him. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all. Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it [Don’t take the law into your own hands]. Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be “heaping coals of fire on his head”. In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. Don’t let evil get the upper hand but conquer evil by doing good.

Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Elder Tammi Tully

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Unison Prayer

All: Open our eyes and hearts to those we meet. Help us to see their need, to show your love and to use your gifts that are invested in us to bring them hope and life. We go now with unwrapped gifts ready to be used. We go as your servants, ready to touch others with your love, and we don’t go alone. Amen

Hymn “The Love Round”

Love, love, love, love; believers this is your call.

Love your neighbor as yourself for God loves all. (repeat as directed)

Affirmation of Faith

One: We will always have opportunities that come our way. We need to seize them and accomplish our objectives. We must be true to ourselves, because we are as good as we are.

All: I declare God is working all things together for my good. He has a master plan for my life. There may be things I don’t understand right now but I’m not worried. I know all the pieces aren’t here yet. One day it will all come together and everything will make sense. I will see God’s amazing plan taking me places I never dreamed of. This is my declaration of faith.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering Offerings may be made online at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering or by USPS mail service.

Offertory

Choral Response “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #606

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

All: We give to you today as a response to your goodness to us. We ask that you receive our offering and continue to supply all our needs. May your peace be in our hearts, your grace be in our words, your love be in our hands and your joy be in our souls. In your mighty name, Amen.

Prayer Hymn “Sanctuary” #701

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer … “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

Hymn “O Christ, Surround Me” verse 1 #543

God be the love to search and keep me; God, be the prayer to move my voice;

God, be the strength to now uphold me: O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

Benediction

Song on the Way “O Christ, Surround Me” verse 5 #543

Christ in the eyes of all who see me; Christ in the ears that hear my voice,

Christ in the hearts of all who know me. O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

Postlude CCLI License # 275648

Thought for the Day: “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt

*****

Leading us in worship this morning:

Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays, Pastor Billy Meredith, Music Director

Elder Tammi Tully, Worship Leader

Elder Tom Philion, Liturgist

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York August 30, 2020

Jesus calls us to deny self and follow him in the way of the cross. May this worship strengthen us to serve our neighbors in love. Welcome.

At the end of summer, we are a mix of melancholy and excitement. Holy Spirit, inspire our trust in you even as seasons and schedules change.

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your virtual worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

If anyone is in need of a free Whirlpool 30” 4-burner electric stove (self-cleaning, automatic) and broiler pan, contact Ed Goff (607-746-8709) for details!

Your tithes and offerings may be made online via PayPal, click the donate button at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering , or by regular USPS mail service (4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753).

If you are joining us in the Sanctuary this morning, we thank you for following all protocols for this event. We continue to offer virtual worship for those wishing to worship from home, phone or camp.

Today is a BOUNTIFUL GIVING SUNDAY. Only cash donations can be accepted from donors at any site providing emergency food pantries in Delaware County. We ask that you please hold your food solid donations until the restrictions are lifted. The food already at the closed church will be forwarded at that time. We recommend online https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering and cash donations, designated for food bank, in the meantime. Please make checks out to First Presbyterian Church. Checks may be mailed via regular mail to the church at 4 Clinton Street, Delhi NY 13753.

Please be aware that the church building is not fully open and access is limited at the present time. We are currently keeping the back door locked, even during office hours and will not always be aware if someone is at the door. If you need to enter the building during office hours, please call the church ahead of time (607-746-2155) and speak with Darcy or Pastor Lisa who will be able to let you in.

Stay connected with God!

Check out Pastor Lisa’s Ministry Moments by clicking on the “Ministry Moment” graphic. Several new moments each week!

Devotional booklets (Upper Room and Daily Bread) are available on the table of the gazebo in a box. Please take one for your daily devotions touching only those you intend to take with you. Please respect all social distancing rules during pick up.

If you do not have access to internet or cell phone or computer and would like to have a hymnal and bulletin delivered to you, please contact Pastor Lisa or the church office and we will arrange to have a hymnal left at your door.

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness will be choosing a new book from the Bible to begin studying. The group meets at 5:00 pm on Monday evenings. All are welcome to join in the new study! Please contact Pastor Lisa to receive online meeting information.

Volunteers are desperately needed for receiving and pricing and/or working in the store when it is open. Other needs are taking surplus to the dump or a donation receiving location once a week. We continue to need handle bags of all sizes as well.

Extra garden produce? Don’t let it go to waste! The Delhi Food Bank and the Delhi Senior Center will both happily take your excess to share with the community.

THOUGHTS ON GIVING: “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26). St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else.” We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent, and treasure to gain more of the world’s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God’s values and not the values of the material world.

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER: That each of us may have the strength and courage to put Jesus first above worldly ways and material gains.

The Per Capita amount for 2020 has been set at $40.55 per member.

Virtual and Sanctuary Attendance Sunday 8-23-20

47 - 25 in sanctuary + Approx. 22 virtual

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 8-23-20

$2,245.00* $1,432.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 8-23-20 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 8-23-20

Kirk Receipts week of 8-16 to 8-22 Mission giving week of 8-23-20 Mission giving YTD as of 8-23-20

$76,330.00 $69,094.28 $4,091.00

$661.49 $201.00

$2,364.00

Apportionment Needed 2020 Apportionment received YTD as of 8-23-20

$7,380.10 $2,046.20

*The amount needed each week is total expenses minus budgeted savings transfers.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility in these times of new approaches and limitations. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep yourself and others safe as we worship and fellowship together virtually and in person!